[metalcloud]

could anybody help me?!

i read some reference and it was said that some substance like THF, diethyl ether, and n-heptane was distilled over sodium. what is the purpose? why sodium? could anybody tell me the detail procedure?

thanks...

[kriggy]

Probably to remove traces of water present in that solvent

[Archer]

Often sodium wire or small lumps of sodium are used to make the solvent anhydrous.

Consider the reaction of water with sodium, no volatile products are produced.

One thing worth considering is that if you choose to dry a high boiling solvent this way, the sodium melts and becomes a much more serious hazard.

Usually you need a special set up for this which is carried out under inert gas, also consider disposal of the sodium once the distillation is complete.

[metalcloud]

thanks